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Adult Acne

Adult Acne

Overview

Though many people believe that acne stops when you become an adult, the teenage years are not the end of acne for some people. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 50 percent of American adults have at least one form of acne during their adult life. Adult acne is often frustrating and causes embarrassment to those who suffer from it. There is hope for the treatment of adult acne, though the first step is understanding the types and causes.

Types of Adult Acne

Two types of adult acne are persistent acne and late-onset acne. The American Academy of Dermatology states that persistent acne is the type which continues from the teenage years, through the twenties, thirties, forties and even older ages. Persistent acne is more common in women and is often concentrated around the chin and jawline. Late-onset acne involves an adult who has had clear skin for years and then suddenly the acne comes back. This usually occurs during menopause for women.

Hormones

The American Academy of Dermatology states that fluctuating hormones are often to blame for adult acne. Women can get acne from changes in hormone levels during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. Hormones levels also change when women stop taking birth control pills, and this sometimes leads to acne.

Stress

Both men and women deal with stress during adulthood. Researchers have found a correlation between fast-paced jobs and high levels of acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Experts at the organization state that a normal response to stress involves the body producing more androgen hormones, which stimulates oil production in the skin, leading to acne.

Skin Care Products

CBS News reports that the average adult in America uses seven different skincare products on the face every day. This can be a cause of adult acne because using too many products on the face can aggravate your skin. Women sometimes use anti-wrinkle creams, which can cause acne because they are too heavy or oily for their skin type.

Treatments

Despite the many different causes of adult acne, there are treatments and techniques which can decrease the condition. Decreasing the amount of skin care products and simplifying your routine is a start. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends seeing a dermatologist to discuss individualized treatments, such as tretinoin cream, changing face washes or getting blue light acne treatments.